Material treating apparatus



6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1945 Oct. 28, 1952 l.. J. FULLER 2,615,199

MATERIAL TREATING APPARATUS Filed May 15, 1945 e sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. Lawrence J Fullery Oct. 28, 1952 L. J. FULLER MATERIAL TREATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet ."5

Filed Hay 15, 1945 INVENTOR. [au/rence J Fuller q CA wg wm N w um @www n. Na n a Oct. 28, 1952 1 J. FULLER 2,615,199

'MATERIAL TREATING APPARATUS Learen J Fui/er Oct. 28, 1952 J. FULLER MATERIAL TREATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 15, 1945 'and leaving a slot 2| between the barrels.

Patented Oct. 28, 1952 MATERIAL TREATING APPARATUS Lawrence J. Fuller, Philadelphia, Pa.,`assignor to Welding Engineers, Inc., Norristown, .Pa.,.a

corporation of Delaware Application May 15, 1945, Serial No. 593,928

23 Claims.

This invention .relates to the treatment of materials and particularlyto the working of material by an extrusion type processing.

The object of the invention is to provide a system of treatment subjecting the material to very thorough working under pressure in a manner reaching all parts of the mass and converting the applied energyv into heat within the `individual particles.

Further objects of the invention particularly in the provision of apparatus for working and delivering the material will appear from thefollowing specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 vis a vertical sectional view of a typical apparatus illustrating the treatment in accordance with .this invention, the section being taken on line I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a plan viewl with parts in section on the line 2-.2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Figs. 4 and 5 are front and side views respectively in elevation of a modified detail;

Fig. 6 is a side view, with parts broken away of ,a modification Fig.` 7 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. .6 with top parts removed.;

Fig. 8 is a side view. with parts `broken away, of a further modincation;

Fig. 9 is a side view,with parts broken away, of a further modincation;

Fig.,10 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line IIl-I 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig.,1l isa side view of a top transfer block of ythe apparatus shown in Figs. 8 and .10;

Fig. Yl2 is a face view of the block shown in Fig. ll;

Fig. 13 is a section on line I3-I3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a side view of a bottom `transfer block of the apparatus shown in Figs. 9 and l0;

Fig. 15 is a face view of said block;

Fig. `16 -is a section taken .on line .I5- I6 of Fig. 14;

Figs. `1'7 and 19 are partial sections showing inplanview modified feeding and treating mechanlsm;and

Figs. 418 and 20 are vertical sectional views of the mechanisms of'Figs. 17 and 19 respectively.

In the `apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3 a double barrel I6', II is formed preierablyof welded plates and is provided-with liners i8, I9 meeting at 20 (Fig. 3)

Feed worms 22, 23 with opposite pitches to their nights are vpositioned in barrels I6, I1 respectively and are connected-to be driven with'opposite rotations 2 so that their peripheries move downwardly together at the center (Fig. 3)

Surrounding barrels I6, I1 are jackets 25, 26 for heating or cooling fluids, the jackets being Ydivided into sections to control independently the temperatures of successive lportions of the worm feed.

A hopper 2I has a bottom opening 23 feeding material down into the receiving ends of the nrst nights 29, 39 of the feed worms 22, 23. These nights 29, 3D are right and left hand and generally helical in form lprogressively'decreasing in pitch to increase their ability to develop pressure.

Back pressure is developed by the reverse night screw sections 3|, 32 vto which the material is delivered by the forward nights 29, 30. The parallel substantiallyadjacent worms 2 2, 23 thus carry the materialorward and force it into the reverse flights 3l, 32 which in turn exert a retarding action onthe .forward movement of the material. The nrst result of these retarding "innuences is to squeeze out fluids, if present, which move from the highpressure areas in the reverse night section (Fig. 1) to lower pressure areas at the right, clearances being provided for this back flow. Liquids are drained off around the screw plugs 33 provided on the worms 22, 23 at the entrances to the barrels, clearances being allowed between the screw plugs and barrel liners for this purpose, andigases pass .out through the hopper or other openings.

A further important effect of the action of the forward nlights 29, 30 forcing material into and through reverse nights 3I, 32 is the generating of heat within the material itself due tothe working action of the worms creating internal friction within the material. There is no escape for the material except through the reverse nights so .that the back pressure applied to the material and the heat developed by the internal friction simultaneously .act on the material as it is being fed, working the material thoroughly under pressure and internally generated heat.

Itis thus very completely mixed and conditioned for extrusion and for release of volatiles if any. This heated material plasticized or thoroughly mixed is released by predetermined regulation of the length of the-reverse nights in which the material is vconi-ined andby providing for release of the material from these reverse nights 3|, 32 any desired degree of working and heating may be attained. The escaping material is either exposed to the atmosphere -or a chamber suitably supplied with inert v gas vor partial vacuum. l

The regulation of these'efects is attained-by varying the length of the cover surface 35 conflning the material in the reverse flights, longer covers building up more back pressure and causing generation of more heat.

To accomplish this the opening 36 of the barrels I6, I1 is provided with a primary pressure cover 31 removably bolted in place and carrying a replaceable liner 38 held in place by retainer block 39. The under surfaces of the cover block and liner are shaped to fit between the peripheries of the flights (Fig. 3). At this point the material emerges from the coniined portions of the reverse flights 3|, 32 into an open section of the barrels constituting the release chamber 44 within casing 45.

Through this release chamber 44 the feed is preferably slow, carrying the hot treated material forward by the forward feed flights 46, 41 of worms 22, 23, kneading it and constantly exposing new surfaces for the release of volatiles, and delivering the material to the auxiliary flight 48 and main discharge ight 49 running in the outlet ends of barrels I6, l1. These discharge flights are at much faster pitch and the barrel I6 terminating short at the end wall 5i) causes the material of auxiliary flight 48 to transfer laterally over to main extruder night 49 delivering the material through the screen 5l to the extruder die 52 forming the flow into any desired cross sectional shape, such as a flat ribbon strip.

The open section of the barrels at the relief chamber 44 may be at atmospheric or any desired pressure or partial vacuum, volatile gases being removed according to conditions as provided. Additions of solid or fluid ingredients may be made here or in the hopper 21 for intermixture into the material being handled.

The for-cing of the material through the reverse flights 3|, 32 subjects the material to a concentrated squeezing and mixing, and simultaneously develops heat within the individual particles. No part of the mass can escape this stage and all parts are treated in identically the same manner and each increment of the feed is brought up to the desired temperature within a very short interval of time amounting usually to a matter of seconds. For instance, with some rubbery material containing moisture, a larger part of which is removed .in the rst stage by draining back from initial flights 29, 30, the remaining moisture is vaporized @if in the relief chamber 44 by the heat developed by the internal friction in the previous stages. This relief vaporization terminates the rise in temperature and may somewhat lower the temperature depending on the amount and type of the volatiles involved and the pressure prevailing in the chamber 44.

The amount of working of the material and the rise in temperature may be regulated by the pitch and length of the reverse flights 3 I, 32. As shown, these have a relatively steep pitch for slow back feed and for any given reverse flights vthe treatment of the material may be controlled c at various stages may be accomplished by dividing jacket 25 into sections.

For instance, sections 53, 54, 55, 56, 51 and 58 may have their temperatures controlled independently of each other to obtain the most desired results by having the temperature of the barrel higher or lower than or the same as the temperature of the material. The jacket 56 corresponding to the relief chamber 44 will usually maintain heat in the material to aid in the vaporization, and similarly the remaining jackets 51 and 58 will maintain the heated condition of the material for screening and lforming by extrusion. These temperatures may be varied as desired to give a very accurate control of the conditi-on of the material throughout the entire processing. The primary pressure cover 31 is removable for access to the reverse feed flights so that these may be inspected and. thoroughly cleaned between runs.

The working of the material is widely variable to suit different compositions, and the stages of liquid and gas relief are usually separate and independently controlled. It has been found particularly advantageous to create the high temperature quickly and within the material itself by internal friction following this with a prompt and sharp pressure release. In this way, the interval during which the material is under this high temperature is very short, amounting to only a few seconds in some cases, and the following temperatures are also accurately regulated. The processing may be applied to a wide variety of ingredients for purposes of mixing and/or plasticizing as well as for the extra-ction of iiuids. The material being handled may also be of the thermosetting type utilizing accurate control of heat to thoroughly homogenize the composition and employing heat generated at the ,n reverse flights to initiate a partial chemical reaction causing a delayed thermosetting, conditioning the material for extrusion and subsequent completion of the thermosetting action.

Usually the thermosetting plastics would be introduced into the hopper as a mixture of powder constituents comprising the material to be extruded. The action of the feed worms plasticizes these ingredients and raises the temperature to a desired degree for extrusion under pressure through the forming die. The lapse of time from the heating step to the forming step would be only a matter of less than one minute, and might be of the order of ten to twenty seconds, so that the chemical action taking place during the treatment within the working material would not be sufficient to cause any objectionable or obstructive stiffening, particularly since the temperature of the material is under accurate control and the high heat generated at the reverse ights is only maintained for a very limited duration. As a consequence, the hardening and setting of the plastic would follow the extrusion, and the amount of chemical action within the apparatus is carefully and precisely controlled.

In many cases it would be preferable to pass the extruded material directly from the extruding die to a heated zone to complete the thermosetting action to a desired degree. An example of this would be a thermoplastic material becoming rigid when raised above its polymerization temperature, the material being treated and extruded at a temperature just below this polymerization, after which the elevation of the temperature would complete the setting action. In some polymerizing materials the chemical action takes place over a sufcient period of time so that the initial temperature for plasticizing and extruding will be high enough to bring about the polymerization or thermosetting without additional heating subsequent to extrusion. Some material may; beV extruded in such form-as toibef transferred directly tov pressing and'molding 'oper'-V ations'for 'forming -and final thermosetting, hardlasaids-inbringing'about desired plasticizing or' othereifeots, and then" after serving these pur:-

poses-these--plasticizing` or othery agents maybesqueezedout or` driven off atthe relief` chamberl ltli beyond the reverse flight-or in the double squeeze area, the material being then advanced through the. equipment and extruded as desired.

With rubber stocks the apparatus is especially effective in" elevating the temperature by rapid mechanical Working. The, crude iinvulcanized` stock4 either `has its vulcanizing-agent mixed in itior 'added "inzthe hopper 21. The stockvulcanizav in'gia'gentszand other ingredients arexthen Worked.

upto temperature' and .extruded immediately into itsdesired final form,such as tubing, previsioni being made, if required, to maintairrthe formed stockatthe proper,V temperatures :to complete the vulcanization operation;Y

Variousmodications of the: apparatuswill be made to" conformtothe requirements' of particular materials'and treatments.' The characteristic control of the processing is the development of predetermined temperatures within the` material during. ther rapid mechanical Working and` extrudirig` operations;

Ther regulation ofthe counterflovv action and consequent internal frictiona'l effects may be at'- t'ain'ed: bysa'djustment of a movable section of thebarrels-bver` the reverse flights. 3|, 32. Figs; 4'- and. 5 shovvi an alternate method ofk control which can be installed' in place of parts 31, 38 and. 391(Fi'g. 1). The cover'block' that forms theadjustablel section' of the4 barrels may bei divided -into relatively slidableeparts 60", 6| along vertical plane 62'. 'The' rear=statioriary portion 60. is removably boltedin place andcarriestheadjustable portion 6|' having itsl lower surfaces E32 contoured to-tover the reverseV flights 3|, 32.

with the centrallportion cut away a't65 on the discharge end. Screw bolt 66 attached toadjustable part' Sli, that can be raised orY lowered byturning'it, is threaded in brackets 68 and may be locked in positionrvvith lock nut 61" so that the? effectivenessv of 'the reverse flights may be regulated; The indicating dial' 64 for-A screw 66 may be calibrated in any` desired manner to show the Yvarious 'settings' of theadjustable'l block 6| which mayl be adjustedV to various `settings during the running: of: the' material through` the equipment;

Variousmodi'cations of the system may be resorted'. to involving special handling'of the Inaterial.l For' instance, in'Figs. Gand' 7 the Worms 1|,` 12 in iacketed barrels 13, 14- have entranceiiightsri15., 16". leading to reverse flights 111, 18 over which in space'S-fis mountedthe adjustablecover block 80Tprovided" with the ytransfer passage 8| Withirelief opening: 8-2. at the uppery portions ofV the' reverse-flights. This passage 8| extends at an anglefto the discharge orifice 83 leading to the: entrance endnof feed flightA 84 of worm. 11. Ascreen` or'y die 85 may be interposed across the orice` 83" forming the discharge into separate olut'ovvs.` Thematerialfed to flight 8k meets reverse flightf andvis ley-passed to'. flight 81k offfworml12'. A-,centralA longitudinal partition 88 intervenesbetweenthe flights of Worms 1| and. 12- atxtheirl portions beyondV reverse flights 11, 18. This partition maybe perforated between flights 6 84; 86-'on one'side and flight 81 on the other; andv this confines theprogressof' the material through flights 84 and 86 in: series subjectingv thematerial to another pressure'and tempera-v ture rise due to the opposing actions of these` forward and reverse feeds.y Or if such further.l

Working is not desired, partition 08 may have` a1 slot `or openings permitting material to pass'laterally.V from flight. 841 and 86 to flight. 81. Such4 materialumeets with the resistance developed byl reverse'flight 89 and is by-passed back through orifices 90 in partition 88'to feed flight 9|* fromj which it is again passed'backl to the other side: to. flight. 92, the counterpressure for this final; by-pass` beingA furnished by reverse flight 93;l

InA this way there area. series ofY Workingsof." the material back and forth against reverse fiightv resistance forcing the material through orifices: between. stages in a mannerV giving it4 a` veryz' thoroughxmixing and manipulation. Outletsrfor` relief of; uidsmay be provided at any. desired"v points' on the 10W pressure4 sides' of the reverse: screws as indicated at 94 and 95` andthe: final` extrusion from feed screw 92 may pass the material through screens and' dies as desired. At'

the entrance end the Worms 1|, 12 are provided; with the plugs or hubs 96, 91 retaining the materialyvithin the barrels. While permitting escape4 of. liquid expressedunder action of the opposed flights. of the first stages.v

InrFigs: 8 t'o: 15 the' feed Worms |00 |0|. iny barrels |06, |01 have flights |02, |03at entrance. leading toy reverse flightsy |04', |05 provided with either an upper or lower-transfer blocl-r|08y or |09 havinga by-pass leading'to the parallelfeedi flights |740, The material by-passed'to. flight-i |`|0 meets` with the resistanceof reverse flight: |2.l and transfers over to theextrusion jigl'it'il I. As material passesdown flight |f|| fluids escape through openings 90 and run out relief opening. 99,` any material passing through yopenings. 98 is: carried ba'ckxby `flight 1 and isr passed across"` toifiight' |11 l', discharging the,materialthroughr` die:'||3; Wormsf|00, |0| are providedxwith plug. members ||l|, ||5 at the open ends ofv barrels |06,` |01leaving clearances- H6 for backwardidischarge.` of liquids.

Upper by-pass block` 081* is shown more in. de tail1in Figs.- ll', l2'andl3 wherein the'coverbody" block H8: has shoulders ||9 resting' on blocks' |20; (Fig. 8) and cover liner 12| heldv to: the; under-surface of body; ||8 by screws |22. The liner: |2| has its under surface |23tted tothei peripheries; of the reverse flightsk |04, |05'Y and the'entranceends of. feed flights l0, I'. 'Atz the reversel flight end. the liner has entrance orifices |.214'3ofa by-pass;.|2.1iformed.by passage1|25 of the' liner-in cooperation' With ypassage |26` in the under` surface of` body IIB, this lay-pass.` |21 leadingto` discharge orifice |28" at the peripheriesof theI feed flightsI |0`;

The.: lower by-pass block i'is'shown in Figs.` 14;.15r and' 16. Herey the bodyv block |3|| has shoulders |3.| for bolting on blocksi |32 (Fig- 9') and` with the upper surface |33- carrying* liner plateiM-'fastenedby screws |35;- The `upper `sur-- face |38 ofplate |34' is shaped to fit the periph-A er'ies of the reverse flights |04, |051 and feed flights ||0', and orifice |31 and auxiliaryoril-` iice- |38` lead to by-pass |39 formed by the match'- ing passages |40, |4| in body |30' and p1`ate|34 and branched at |l2A in dischargeA orifices |43, Mipassing the material to the feed flights ||0, Fluid released from high pressure areas escapethroughA openings |45 when eitheru top-or bottom transfers shown in Figs. 8 and 9 are used.

In Figs. 17 and 18 the feed worms |50, |5| in liner |52 of casing |53 having jacket |54, carry the material to reverse nights |56, |51 under pressure block |58 from which the material discharges out into the release space |62 above cylinders |59, At each end of these cylinders the liner |52 is interrupted to provide spaces 6D, the ends of the cylinders overlapping slightly with the liner edges |6| to form bearing surfaces. Rotation of the cylinders |59 carries the material around between them and often the mass being worked will tend to adhere to one cylinder or the other while progressing along toward the discharge |63 under the pressure of the material accumulating behind it. The cylinders |59 thus roll the material into sheet form as it passes through the release space |62 providing extensive exposed surfaces for the escape of volatiles or the absorption of any added ingredients. The material from discharge at |62 is received by the feed Iiights |64 and passed on to the extrusion opening.

In the modification shown in Figs. 19 and 20 the pressure block |63 carries the vertically movable section adjusted by screw |65 threaded in bracket and swiveled in block |69. In this Way by raising or lowering the block section 69 the back pressure may be varied on the material being worked by the forward and reverse flights |50, |5|, |56, |51. The worked material is passed into the release chamber |82 above the feed Worms |61, |58 in the liners |72 and having the worm flights staggered as shown to grip the material along zig-zag lines and carry it around between them and forward to the discharge I1| into the extrusion worms |13, |74. The cover enclosing the chamber |62 has the outlet |16 for release of volatiles under desired pressure or vacuum.

The flights of the feed screws may have their peripheries staggered as shown or running substantially in contact and the continuity of the helical peripheral portions may be interrupted if desired.

- The treatment provided for by processing of this invention is widely adaptable to a variety 0f materials, and the results obtainable are varied. Materials are mixed, kneaded and worked under pressure releasing mechanically combined fluids. Heat is developed by friction Within the material as the result of this working under pressure; the material may be plasticized and volatiles may be distilled off as desired.

The material is then again subjected to pressure for straining and forming into shape. For instance, the process of manufacture of synthetic rubber is carried on in its finishing stages by starting with a slurry of water and soft masses or curds of granules of synthetic material, the water being of the order of 300% on the dry basis for example. The liquids are squeezed from the solids and drained off from the low pressure areas as the solids are advanced to a high pressure area developed by the counterflow action. Heat is developed and the material becomes plasticized due to its intensive working under pressure. Then upon release into a low pressure zone the hot material volatilizes off its moisture content, the resulting product having a moisture content of less than one half of one percent. The hot dried material is then put under pressure and forced through a strainer and formed intto a ribbon or narrow sheet.

Materials with large amounts of entrapped gases and large quantities of volatiles, such as encountered in the finishing operation of polybutene, may be processed in the same manner. High pressures are developed squeezing out the entrapped gas which is tapped 01T in the low pressure entrance zone where the material is fed in. Heat is developed by intensive working of the material under pressure causing it to become conglomerated. The heated material is then advanced to a low pressure section where volatile substances, such as catalysts, are driven off. The hot treated material is then advanced under pressure developed for straining and forming the mass into ribbons or narrow sheets.

Similarly wire coating thermoplastic compounds, such as those of the Vinylite type, are either fed to the equipment in the form of plasticized chips or tape, or a mixture of filler materials and plastic resin. With the ingredients in the form of powder, the compound is vplasticized by the working under heat and pressure. The hot compound is then advanced through the low pressure areas for the release of gases andthe driving off of any other volatiles. The conditioned hot compound is then again put under pressure, forced through a straining screen and then extruded as a coating on the wire.

Some materials, such as phonograph record compounds, composed of resins and fillers and in some cases substantially pure resins, are handled by the same procedure. The raw material is introduced in the form of plasticized chips or a mixture of powders composed of fillers and plastic resins. Where powder is used the compound is plasticized by working it under heat and pressure, and it is then advanced through the low pressure area for expulsion of the gases and volatiles and the conditioned hot compound is then extruded or fed directly to the disk forming die and then, preferably while still hot, is fed to the press where the finished record is pressed out on dies containing the recording impressions. The whole process can be accomplished in as little as from one to three minutes except in special cases where extra operations are involved.

Forming of shapes and tubing by this process is attained by feeding, either plasticized or unplasticized, material which is quickly raised in temperature by the working and kneading in the high pressure area and the release of the gases and volatiles in the sudden expansion into the low pressure area. The still hot processed material in the next pressure step may be strained if desired and is formed through a suitable die into predetermined cross sectional shape.

These treatments are typical of the adaptability of the processing to combine a heating. pressing and working of the material under controlled conditions giving a very thorough plasticizing action combined with a dewatering and degassing and a swift development of the heat within the material itself. Then upon release of the hot. plasticized material into a region of lower pressure, the volatiles will vaporize off depending upon the conditions maintained in the released chamber. The material may be directly discharged from this release or as shown may be further worked and fed under pressure to straining and extruding apparatus as desired. Also slugs may be formed of this heated and treated material for forming by hot presses, injection molding, compression molding, transfer molding and cold molding. The succession of operations on the material has proved not only adaptable burhigh1yemcintin dispensing, withl flight: and a reduced rate reverse feediiight, barrelflcasingsfcompletely surroundingv said" -forward and reverse` flights andretaining said material in said forward f and reversev flights under pressure for a predetermined distance through said reverse flightsv and provided with a. release orifice in the casing leadingY fromlfthe' feed through said reverse flights to. a. subsequent area of reduced pressure permitting discharge of said material from said reverseffiights into said area only` after said predetermined distance of travel ofv saidI material through said forwardandreverse flights. .2

2f. Apparatus for-feeding and. treating material alsset forth in claim l in which the forward and reverse feed vflights are-interrupted in 'the continuityof' their helical peripheral portions.

3: Apparatus for treating materiallcomprising a plurality. of parallel; side-byf-side forward. feedingrotary members of helical shape. cooperating tofV feed material, a plurality'of obstructing rotary membersat the. discharge lendsof said feeding membersv imposing a. counter-action lopposite to said. forward feed: and `developing heat andpressure bykneading and working` 'of the material at the area of.. said counter-action and permitting passing of material under the action of said forward feed so as to determine the rate of feed through all of said members, encasing means surrounding and closelyl fitting the peripheries of said rotary members to maintain the 'material under pressure during feeding'and` a restricted opening in said encasing means positioned to provide discharge means from said obstructing rotarymembers releasing the material. into an areaof reduced pressure. Y

4;. `Apparatus as set forth 'in claim 3 inwl'iich the'discharge area of're'duced pressure isprovided by a chambercontaining mechanism rotatableA withsaid rotary members*` and working the material-under predetermined conditions-jot' heat and pressure. y

5. "Apparatus-as set forth in 'claim 3 in which the discharge area of reduced.l pressure contains mechanism rotatable with said rotary members and working the material in surface contact with fluids excluding the atmosphere.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which mechanism rotatable with said rotary members and in the discharge area of reduced pressure works the material to expose additional surface and feeds it forward under pressure to extrude it in desired form.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which the obstructing rotary members comprise reverse helical-screw formations of lower feed rate than said forward feeding members and tending to feed the material in av direction opposite to the forward feed.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which there is a surrounding jacketing in said casing means forming means for controlling the temperature of the surfaces in contact with the material to regulate its temperature during treatment.

9; Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which 10 there are' outletsat the ends of said rotary members forming discharge means for fluid from theI material under pressure in advance. of 'saidobstructing rotary members.

. 10. Apparatus for treating material comprising;

a pair of parallel acting helically shaped'mem bers feeding the material forward, oppositely directed helically shaped members of lower feed` ing rate opposing the forward feed of said maf. terial and permittingpa'ssing ofmaterialthrough apredetermined extent of .said reyersemembers; underthe action of saidfo'rward' feed, asas-ing means surrounding and closely fitting j the pe-` ripheriesofysaid helically shaped. memberspto maintain pressureon the material being treated and an outwardly; directed passagefrom `saidoppositely directed helically shaped membersV forming a dischargeforsaid passed-.material into an areav of reduced pressure.

11.. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10A in which;A the'forward feedingpair of helically shaped mem-I bers moves downward towardeach other at vthe center and are supplied from a hopper aboveboth of saidmembers.

12. Apparatusf-assetforth incl'aim 10 in which theposition of the discharge passage is adjust-f.

able lengthwisel of the oppositely directed meme bersfso that the length of the oppositelydirected members opposing the forward'. feed isl variable to regulatethe. pressure andheat developed;` 13;. A; system for'heatingmaterial `comprising,

a pair of oppositely threaded and` oppositelyro-I tating feed screws subjecting. the .material :to rotary forward feeding 1 from 'opposite sides, sure rounding` casing means closely fitting the peripheriesf. of said feed screws to maintain.` pressure.

therein, aipair. of oppositely` threaded; `oppositely rotating reverse feed. screws ofz predeterminedy lower. feed rate. closelyftted in. saidsurrounding casing. meansV and. counteracting said forward` feedand? thereby 'working thematerialfunden pressure to'r develop a sudden. temperature rise'l by: friction inthe' material, uneheatedmat-eri'aiS beingfforced-a predetermined distance through" said' reverse feed,fandfa discharge from said re-"- verse feedreleasing the heated material outward from said reversefeed into a space of lower pressure to abruptly reduce the pressureV on the ma` terial.

v143A system for treatingmaterial asset forth.:`

in 'claim -13' in which the forwardV feed screws' have peripheral helices runningat the same speed and with" the edge ofone helix offsetwith respect" to the edge of the other in staggered relation and drawing in the material between them.

` 15. A system for treating material as set forth in claim 13 in which there are parallel rotary members forming feeding means following the discharge into the area of reduced pressure acting to Work the material to expose its surface.

16. A system for treating material to reduce its fluid content comprising means for forwardly feeding the material and a subsequent means applying a reverse feed effort on the material, said forward and reverse feed means putting the material under pressure within a surrounding casing to express liquid from said material, a drain from said forward feed for the discharge of said expressed liquid while continuing said forward feed against and through said reverse feed means, and a discharge opening for the material releasing said material from an intermediate point of said reverse feed means into a region of lower pressure and permitting escape 11 of gases from said discharged material in said lower pressure region.

17. A system for heating material as set forth in claim 16 in which there is a pair of parallel forward feed screws receiving the material from the reverse feed, and a casing cooperating with said feed screws to form an extrusion means working the discharged material and extruding it after the extraction of gases therefrom.

18. A system for treating material to reduce its fluid content comprising a pair of forward feed screws and a pair of reverse screws coaxial with said forward feed screws and feeding back- Ward at a lower rate to develop a gradient preshigh pressure area to generate heat by internalA friction, and a discharge from said reverse feed into a low pressure area, and means in said low pressure'area working said material for the release of volatiles therefrom.

20. VA system fortreating plastic material comprising parallel acting rotary helices developing pressure on each side while radially retaining said'tmaterial and constraining the material to forward longitudinal progress, similar parallel acting...rotary helices developing pressures reversely directed and exerting a reverse feed actionat a lower rate to develop a corresponding counterpressure opposing said forward feed, said forward feed acting to force the material through said reverse helices against said counterpressure and simultaneously raising its temperature, and a .discharge orifice forsaid material releasing it from a predetermined point of said reverse feed so that said material is at a relatively high pressure-at said point of release.

21. Apparatus for treating material comprising a plurality of parallel, side-by-side, helical, forward feeding, oppositely rotating rotary members cooperating to feed material, a plurality of obstructing oppositely rotating members at the discharge ends of said feeding members imposing` a counterpressure opposite to said forwardA feed and developing heat and pressure by kneading and working of the material at the area of said counterpressure and permitting passing of material under the action of said forward feed so as to determine the rate of feed through .all of said members, encasing means surrounding and enclosing the peripheries of said rotary members to maintain the material under pressure during feeding thereto, outlet means passing the material from said obstructing rotary members into an area ofA reduced pressure, and forward feeding means receiving said material in said area and passing it under pressure to a second point of discharge.

22. Apparatus for treating material as set forth in claim 2l in which the area of reduced pressure is at a pressure below atmospheric.

23. In apparatus for feeding and treating material a pair of parallel barrel casings side by side forming parallel cylindrical passages with a central longitudinal opening between them, and oppositely rotating feed screws having helical flights of similar opposite pitch, carrying the material through said passages and delivering it in parallel paths therefrom with the peripheral edges of said flights in cylindrical contours coaxial with said passages and substantially tangent at the center of said longitudinal opening, said flights being longitudinally staggered with relation to each other so that the edges of the flights alternate in sequence along said central longitudinal opening in all positions of the feed screws.

LAWRENCE J. FULLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

